Watch



March 5, 1946. L, H, BROWN 2,395,343'

WATCH Filed March 16, 1944 L El H E R mwN,

5M @ami-MMM vision of a stem winding lsecuring the back cover Patented Mar. 5, 1946 UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE l Leo H. Brown, Glenville. Conn. Application March 18, 1944, Serial N0. 528,797

s claims. (ci. ss-A-so) (Granted under the et of Much s, lass. u amended April so, 192s; 37o o. G. 157) The invention described herein may be manufacturedvand used by or for the Government for governmental purposes, without the payment to me of anyv royalty thereon.

The present invention relates to watches.

Among the objects of the invention is the proand stem setting watch with means for preventing the entry of water, or ambient atmospheric air into the watch case by passage through the opening or openings through which thewinding and setting means or stem passes through the case for operating the winding and setting wheels of `the watch movement.

Means, already well known in the art are also used in connection with the pres n t invention for in air-tight and Vwater-tight relationship with each other or with the ring or peripheral portion of the watch case. Such means, while finding utility in connection with the present invention, however, form no part of the present invention, and, therefore, do not require detailed disclosure in this written description.

The present invention finds especial utility in climates where there is high relative atmospheric humidity, or where changes in temperature are such as to cause the water moisture vapor in the ambient air in the watch case to precipitate upon the movements lof the watch. In, climates of high relative humidity, such as in the tropics, it will be appreciated' that if the watch movements are not completely sealed in the watch case from entry of the said air. a lowering of temperature of the watch or of air therein, from any cause whatsoever., whether, for example by. atmospheric conditions or by cool water coming in conand the bezel and crystal l or peripherical portion thereof, through which the winding and setting stem passes for operating the winding or setting wheels.

The present invention is applicable to stem winding and setting watches in which longitudinal motion of the winding and setting stem is used as a preparatory movement for accomplishing setting. The invention is applicable either to watches of the type in which the winding stem is pulled radially outwardly as a preparatory step to setting or to types of watches in which the winding and setting stem is pushed inwardly in setting. In' the drawing accompanying and forming part of this written description, the invention is shown applled'to type of watches in which the winding and setting stem is pulled out- -wardly in setting.

Two embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

0 Figure 1 is a central partial sectional view of 8l their construction form no part of the present tact with the watch, will be accompanied by pre-. I y

cipitation of water moisture upon the movemen of the watch,'provided, of course', that the lowering of the temperature is suilicient to produce such precipitation. Such precipitation of water moisture upon and in-the movements of the watch, even though slight in extent at each precipitation, causes rusting or corrosion of the watch movements, as has been found to be the case with watches in use in the armed forces of this country in the tropics and other parts of the world where high relative humidities either periodically or continually prevail.

As indicated above, watches with air tight back covers and air tight bezels and crystals are known, but so far as'I am aware noone heretofore has provided means in combination with a watch winding and setting stem which entirely prevents air, water and dust from entering the watch case by passage around the winding and setting stem or through -the opening in the case,

invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of apart of the 'winding and setting means illustrated in Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a sectional view on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1:

Figure 4 is a sectional view similar to Fig. l of another modification of the invention;

Figure 5 is.a sectional view on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4;

In consideration of the views of the drawing, it is to be appreciated that the parts of the watch illustrated therein are shown magnified in diiensions for the sake of ciearness of illustra- Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawing, the numeral l indicates the watch case or part thereof in which the movements of the watch are contained. T'he part designated by the numeral I may be the ring or circumferential part of a watch case with which the bezel and the back cover of the watch engage, or it may beV a. rearwardly extending flange portionofthe bezel within which the back cover of. the watch ilts with a sliding fit or within which the back cover screws for water tight closing. The part i therefore may be re- 'ferred to as the. rim of the watch, and this term rim is intended to include circular, square or oblong rims and rims of any shape or construction.

'Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the numeral 2 indicates the winding and setting stem, which in its innermost position 'transmits rotary motion t0 the winding wheels and which in its outermost position transmits rotary motion to the setting wheels, it being understood. as indicated above, that the watch, of which a portion only is illustrated, belongs to the type in which the winding andsetting stem is pulled outwardly in setting. Winding and setting stem 2 from the position indicated by the numeral 3 to the position indicated by the numeral 4 represents conventional construction in a winding and setting stem which pulls out for setting. In accordance with the present invention, however, this conventional winding stem is modiiied in construction above the position indicated bythe numeral 8. This modication consistsA in a bif-urcated portion 5 which forms part of the winding and setting stem above the position 3 oi.' the conventional structure comprised between positions 3 and' 4. The bifurcations of portion 5 oi' the winding and setting stem extend outwardly at substantially right angles to the longitudinal axial direction of the winding and setting stem 2, and define a slot 8.

Referring more particularly to Fig. l, the rim crown I0, which fits over and around the tubular element 8. I

A diaphragm I4 of ilexible material impervious to air and' water extends across the interior of member 8 -for preventing the entry of airf or water through the tubular member 8 into that part of the chamber 9 between the diaphragm and the opening l. The diaphragm may. for example, be constructed oi.rubber. It extends with some slack across the interior of tubular member 8, and to this end may be formed with a cup or cup-like shape, or other suitable shape; in order to permit the rotational and longitudinal motionof the winding and setting, as hereinafter more fully appears. Diaphragm I4 is secured around the interior of tubular member 8 by a split expansion ring I5, which presses the Y material of the diaphragm into a groove I8 which passes completely around the interior of tubular member 8 near the top thereof. A suitable water prooi and water vapor-proof adhesive or cement is also applied in the groove I6 in order to cause the diaphragm to adhere to the metal walls o! the groove. This manner of attachment ot the diaphragm to the tubular element 8 may be varied so long as the connection between the diaphragm and tubular member is such as to prevent the passage of air and water.

Numeral I8 indicates a nut with a circumferential groove I9 within which nts the bifurcations 5 of winding and setting stem 2. This nut is located below the diaphragm I4 as shown in Fig. 1, and is secured thereto by means oi' a screw 20 which has a shouldered portion 2|. A washer 422 surrounds the screw below the shouldered portion 2I.

The screw 20 passes through a oentral opening in the diaphragm and engages with the nut I 8 below the diaphragm. The shouldered portion 2| o! the screw presses the washer 22 against the diaphragm when the screw 2l and nut I8 are screwed together, whereby thediaphragm 'is -hermetioally clamped between the nut I8 and the washer 22.

An' L`shaped arm or crank 28 is, at one end,

provided with screw threads which engage in corresponding screw threads in an opening 2i passing centrally through the top of the crown' lI l andl axially thereof. The other end of the arm or crank 25 is provided with a circular opening 21 which accommodates the shouldered portion 2| oi' the screw 20 in such a manner as to permit relative rotary motion therebetween. The bifurcated portion l of winding and setting stem 2 straddles the reduced portion oi nut I8, the two bifurcations fitting in the groove Il in such a manner as to permit relative motion between them.

A keri'or nick 28 is provided at the exterior end of arm 25 to hold it from rotation by a screw driver when the crown I Il is screwed upon it.

Upon consideration of Fig. 1 the operation of the invention will now be apparent. The cupshaped diaphragm' Il, or the'slack therein, permits the crown I0 to be rotated either in a setting or winding operation. Rotation oi the crown I0 rotates arm 25. The rotation of arm 25 causes the screw 20 to revolve about an axis which coincides with the longitudinal axis oi the winding and setting stem 2. .This revolution of screw 20 also causes .revolution of the bifurcated portion 5 of the winding and setting stem 2 owing to the fact that the bifurcated portion straddles the reduced'portionoi Vthe nut'l8. The rotation of biiurcated portion 5 produces rotation of winding and setting stem 2 either id or winding or setting. .The slack in diaphragmjill'permits the above described rotation as Iwell as enables the winding., andfsetting'stem to bemoved outwardly longitudinallyofits 'aids in setting.

- In setting, the crown' .I0. is pulled outwardly'. whereupon the arm '25'pu1ls against the "head of screwA 20 becauslethe lhead of screw 2liv is larger than the opening 2 'Iin arm 2li.V This pulling motionis communicated to the winding-and setting stem 2 owing to the4 fact that the bifurcated portion thereof tits within the groove I9 of the nut I8. The winding and setting stem 2 is returned to the winding positionbypressing the crown inwardly, which inward motion is communicated by the arm 25. washer 22, grooved'nut'- I8"a' nd bifurcatedar'm 45 to winding and setting`stem'2.

Fig. 4 illustrates an embodiment of the', invenltion in which a metal bellows, `for leamplea Sylphon bellows, is employed as the diaphragm of flexible water and air impervious material. In this viewthe rim la, tubular member 8a and crown Ilia are constructed and arranged'in the same way as.corresponding parts I, 8 and III of the modiiication illustrated in Fig. 1. In the modiilcation of the invention shown in Fig. 4, the winding and setting stem 2a is constructed in the same way as the winding and setting stem .2 in Figs. 1 and '2, except that the bifurcated portion 5a is inclined upwardly with relation to the longitudinal axis of the winding and setting stem instead of being at a right angle thereto.

The Sylphon bellows Ila depends in the chamber 9a of tubular member 8a. being soldered to the upper end of the tubular member 8a in agas and water tight joint, whereby the passage of air or water into the -chamber 8a and opening 1a is prevented. l

Two lugs 30 and llreach provided intermediate their ends with a circumferential groove, are

secured. as by soldering or brazing. opposite each screw threaden'gagement with the top of the l f crown at its center. `",lhe hooked portion 32 of the arm 25a is provided with a bifurcated portion 33. 'I'he bifurcated portion 5a of the winding and setting stern 2a and the bifurcated portion 33 of arm 25a respectively straddle the reduced portions at the base of the grooves in lugs 30 and 3|. The straight part of the arm 25a` and winding and setting stem 2a are in axial alignment.

The nick 28a is provided at the exterior end of arm 25a for the same purpose as nick 28 in a is rotated, winding andvsetting stem 2a is rotated, and when crown Illa is pulled outwardly and pushed inwardly respectively before and after settingfwinding and setting stem 2a'is moved outwardly and inwardly.

l. A watch comprising a case having a rim and an opening in said rim, a chamber on said rim around said opening. a rotatable and longitudinally movable winding and setting stem extending into said case and passing through said opening into said chamber, a flexible diaphragm impervious to water and air extending across said chamber and preventing the passage of water and air through -said chamber, a crown for said watch, and means for transmitting rotary and axial motion of said crown to said winding and setting stem through said diaphragm.

2. A watch comprising a case, a tubular member carried by said case, a rotatable and longitudinally movable winding and setting stem extending into said tubular. member from Within said case; a flexible diaphragm extending across said tubular member, iixedly attached in air-tight 'and A water-tight relationship with said tubular member and wliolly sealing the said tubular member against the passage of air and water therethrough, said flexible diaphragm being disposed between the ambient atmosphere and said rotatable and longitudinally movable winding and setting stem; rotatable and longitudinally movable means on t e ambient atmosphere side of said diaphragm extending into said tubular member, and means connecting said last mentioned rotatable and longitudinally movable means hermetically through said nexible diaphragm with saidrotatable and longitudinally movable winding and setting stem for imparting motion of the former to the latter.

3. A watch comprising a case, a tubular member carried by said case, a rotatable and longitu- -dinally movable winding and Vsetting stem extending into saidtubular member from within said case, a Sylphon bellows extending across said tubular member. iixedly attached in air-tight and water-tight relationship with said tubular member and wholly sealing the said tubular member against the passage of alrand water therethrough, said Sylphon bellows being disposed between the ambient' atmosphere and said rotatable and longitudinally movable winding and setting stem; rotatable and longitudinally movable means on the ambient atmosphere side of said bellows extending into said tubular member, and means connecting said last mentioned rotatable and longitudinally movable means hermetically through said bellows with said rotatable and longitudinally movable winding and setting stem for imparting motion of the former to the latter.

4. yA iwatch-'i comprising a casein'. rcitat'a'bleand longitudinally movable winding stem in said case, said case having an opening; means for rotating and longitudinally moving said stem comprising la flexible diaphragm, impervious to air and A water, in fixed sealing engagement with fixed parts defining said opening, whereby the passage of'air and water through said openingis'wholly blocked; means operable from the exterior of said case for providing rotary motion and longitudinal motion for said winding stem, and means anording a fixed seal with respect 'to said diaphragm for transmitting to the said Winding stem the said rotary andv longitudinal motions.

5. A watch comprising a case having an opening therein, a rotatable and longitudinally movable winding stern in said case, .a ilexible diaphragm impervious to air and water extending* across and blocking said opening and ixedly attached to parts of said casearound said opening thereby wholly sealing said opening against .the

passage of air and water therethrough into said case, rotatable and longitudinally movable means on the exterior side of said diaphragm, and means winding stem without impairing the action of said diaphragm to wholly seal the said opening against the passage of air andwater therethrough.

6. A watch comprising a case having an open- A ing therein, a rotatable and longitudinally movable winding stem in said case,.a exible diaphragm impervious to air and water extending l said winding and setting means to said flexible across and blocking said opening. and ilxedly attached in airtight and watertight relationship with parts about said opening, rotatable and longitudinally movable means carried by said case exterlorly of said diaphragm, and means iixedly attached to said diaphragm for transmiti ber adjacent to and connecting with said .opening, a rotatable and longitudinally movable winding and setting stem in said case and extending through said opening into said chamber, a ilexible diaphragm impervious toair and water ln nxed sealing engagement with said wall means and wholly blocking the passage of air and water through said chamber, means operable from the exterior of said case for ,providing rotary motion and longitudinal motion for said winding stem, and means affording a. fixed seal with respect to said diaphragm for transmitting to said winding stem the said rotary and longitudinal motions.

8. A watch comprising a case having an open'- ing therein. a ilexible diaphragm impervious to air and water hermetlcally sealing said opening, a rotatable and longitudinally movable winding stem on the side of said diaphragm towards the interior of the watch case. rotatable and longitudinally movable winding and setting means for and means for communicating the motions of diaphragm and fromsaid exible diaphragm to said winding and setting stem to rotate it andy longitudinally move it without destroying the hermetic seal provided -by saidwtlexible diaplu-asm. v

Lao H. BROWN." 

